If the IRS suspects that a tax return with your name on it is potentially the result of identity theft, the agency will send you a special letter, called a 5071C Letter. This letter is to notify you that the agency received a tax return with your name and Social Security number and it believes it may not be yours. The letter asks you to take specific steps to verify your identity and confirm whether or not the return is actually yours.
Here's how to handle those requests:
The IRS prefers that taxpayers use the online system; because phone callers may experience delays due to the high volume of calls the IRS receives. The phone number on your letter can be used only for verification purposes, not for any other tax issues.
The ID Verify website or phone system asks questions that only you can answer correctly. What you will need:
If the verification proves you are the person named on the return and that you personally filed the return, the return will be processed. After successful verification, it takes about 6 weeks to complete processing.
The return will be rejected and investigated as identity theft/tax fraud if:
Respond to all requests from the IRS to validate your identity in order to avoid automatic rejection of what could be a valid tax return.
If the IRS suspects that a tax return with your name on it is potentially the result of identity theft, the agency will send you a special letter, called a 5071C Letter. This letter is to notify you that the agency received a tax return with your name and Social Security number and it believes it may not be yours. The letter asks you to take specific steps to verify your identity and confirm whether or not the return is actually yours.
Here's how to handle those requests:
The IRS prefers that taxpayers use the online system; because phone callers may experience delays due to the high volume of calls the IRS receives. The phone number on your letter can be used only for verification purposes, not for any other tax issues.
The ID Verify website or phone system asks questions that only you can answer correctly. What you will need:
If the verification proves you are the person named on the return and that you personally filed the return, the return will be processed. After successful verification, it takes about 6 weeks to complete processing.
The return will be rejected and investigated as identity theft/tax fraud if:
Respond to all requests from the IRS to validate your identity in order to avoid automatic rejection of what could be a valid tax return.
They do not want you to complete anything on the web site. They want you to call 800-830-5084
I filed on April 11 accepted on 13th April
bars disappeared on 16th was told they need to check something in my 2
w2 on July 28 was send a id verification letter verified identity on 4th August. Was told 9 weeks wait today on 8th August my
bars are back up with DD 12 August could be sooner I guess
How long did it actually end up being? I filed my taxes late and just had to verify my identity too.
@webbchristian7 If you didn't file a 2018 federal tax return, enter 0 as your AGI. Please see the link below for more information:
How do I get my AGI if I don't have a prior year tax return?
The reason the IRS is requesting I verify my ID is due to address conflicts with what is in my personal information entered into TurboTax Deluxe on-line and what is shown on my w2.
The software did not address this issue, it did not ask if there were any differences in the addresses on the W-2 and my current address. All it asked for was the address of the Payer for my W2 and 1099 for 401k distribution. and Now it is causing me an additional six week delay minimum, in getting my refund. Additionally my Stimulus check is being delayed as well.
Of course Turbo Tax wants to charge me another $60 to get any support for an issue they should have been aware of in their program. TurboTax Deluxe. But of course they won't offer to help with the IRS delay either.
This is why I am never using TurboTax again, and will not recommend it to anyone I know.
Why isn't any Turbotax support person answering my questions and addressing my needs
Id like to get some guidance and assistance from a TurboTax support person in getting this matter cleared up with the IRS.
I depended on the program to cover all the bases but their omission of a way to identify address conflicts between mailing address and addresses on W2's has caused a 6 week delay, minimum, in receiving my refund as well as my stimulus check.
How can they sit by and cause this sort of delay and not offer any assistance?
@Dougster2 wrote:
Id like to get some guidance and assistance from a TurboTax support person in getting this matter cleared up with the IRS.
I depended on the program to cover all the bases but their omission of a way to identify address conflicts between mailing address and addresses on W2's has caused a 6 week delay, minimum, in receiving my refund as well as my stimulus check.
How can they sit by and cause this sort of delay and not offer any assistance?
This is a user forum - not TurboTax support, but what is your problem?
If you received a IRS letter to verify your information then that is common, but getting it to the IRS currently might not be possible during the shutdown.
**********************************************************************************************
**NOTE*** Due to the Corona virus the IRS is operating short staffed. All field offices are closed and some processing centers are all but closed. Any tax return that requires hand processing will probably have long delays. Mailed returns are not being processed at all at this time. Most phone service has been curtailed.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue
**********************************************************************************************
I have recently filed my federal taxes and I'd received a letter telling me to identify myself. How can I identify myself online if I have no student loan,no credit card,no home equity? The IRS are close and aren't accepting calls at this time.
@Analexander7510 wrote:
I have recently filed my federal taxes and I'd received a letter telling me to identify myself. How can I identify myself online if I have no student loan,no credit card,no home equity? The IRS are close and aren't accepting calls at this time.
Follow the directions in the letter. You might need to call the IRS when they re-open.
I'm having the exact same issue...was you ever able to figure out how to get your I'd verified?
No. I tried calling but no one is home. Not even at the taxadvocate number that came as the cover to the IRS 5017C.
What I can't understand is why TurboTax didn't address the differences in current address and address shown on W2's. Whereas H & R Block software does.
What also concerns me is the stipulation that you have to contact them within 30 days of the date of the letter. Hopefully the IRS doesn't have an automatic flag in place that flags accounts that didn't respond in 30 days creating a further delay.
Is that an issue for you having a different address then what was shown on the W2 or other documents?
What also concerns me is the 5017C states that they need
@Dougster2 wrote:
What I can't understand is why TurboTax didn't address the differences in current address and address shown on W2's. Whereas H & R Block software does.
The address on the W-2 does not get entered into TurboTax and is often different than the address on the tax return. Many people move and/or file tax returns from a different address than the address that the employer has for the W-2. A different address does not necessary trigger an IRS identity check.
I recieved a 5071c form from irs and ive tried to create an account on irs.gov the identity verification. But it wont let me and also cant contact anyone on the phone due to covid 19. So i was wondering if i could do it by mail
Same situation..... I have been trying to create a irs account for 3weeks now but it continues saying info doesn't match.?! Besides for 2019 I haven't filed since 2013. I have tried everything, my thirty days will expire in a couple days and I can not reach anyone to do anything. 🤬
Omg! Same, same, same! I totally thought I was the only one with these issues! My 30 days was up yesterday, called that Tax Assistance number a few times, left message with my situation & contact info. ..they say they will do their best to respond in 3 days, it's been like a week & half. I havent got my stimulus check and when check on website, it says not available at this time. I check i.r.s. where's my return? It says still being processed. I dont know what to do so because I've filed all prior years & never had an issue, I've made an appointment with H & R block tmrw, I will come and update you all after. P.s. I believe it is an issue with address changes & also cannot make an online account cos no credit card or loans ever. This is such bull. Not acceptable, Turbo Tax. Crooks
@TiniBoo 22 wrote:
Omg! Same, same, same! I totally thought I was the only one with these issues! My 30 days was up yesterday, called that Tax Assistance number a few times, left message with my situation & contact info. ..they say they will do their best to respond in 3 days, it's been like a week & half. I havent got my stimulus check and when check on website, it says not available at this time. I check i.r.s. where's my return? It says still being processed. I dont know what to do so because I've filed all prior years & never had an issue, I've made an appointment with H & R block tmrw, I will come and update you all after. P.s. I believe it is an issue with address changes & also cannot make an online account cos no credit card or loans ever. This is such bull. Not acceptable, Turbo Tax. Crooks
TurboTax has NOTHING to do with the stimulus whatsoever - that is the IRS.
The stimulus will not happen until the 2019 return has been fully processed. That is totally up to the IRS. You are wasting your time (and money) going to H&R (or any one else) because once a return has been accepted by the IRS nothing more can be done.
**********************************************************************************************
**NOTE*** Due to the Corona virus the IRS is operating short staffed. All field offices are closed and some processing centers are all but closed. Any tax return that requires hand processing will probably have long delays. Mailed returns are not being processed at all at this time. Most phone service has been curtailed.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue
**********************************************************************************************
Each tax return is evaluated on it's own merits. There is no first-in-first-out. Two similar tax return submitted at the same time can have totally different processing times based on IRS criteria for examining tax returns that the IRS does not divulge.
Some returns will be held for ID verification or other verification. The IRS will send a letter if they require more information to process your tax return.
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/refund-timing
I'm in the same boat. I filed through Credit Karma back in the beginning of March and two days later the IRS sent me the letter to verify that I was the one who filed. I live in Illinois but work in Missouri and I've been filing ever since I've started working, this is the first time they have ever sent me this. I thought it was weird when they didn't ask or offer to do the Missouri taxes. I'm already passed the 30 day period and haven't been able to verify because I don't have a credit card, student loan or home equity. I do have an auto loan account and talked to my banks branch manager today so I could get the number for the verification and the IRS said it did not match their records so now I don't have any way to verify. Not to mention a few days after receiving the letter the governor of Illinois shut everything down, including the Tax Assistance Centers. Any advice? I'm thinking about going to H&R Block to see if they can help. I'm desperate people, the other person I'm living with was laid off due to the pandemic so I have to carry the load by myself on top of my insurance, car note, and both halves of the rent.
Try reaching out to your local Taxpayer Advocate Service office - these have not closed down, although some of their services are limited due to various IRS department shutdowns. They are in the best potential position to help you, if anyone can. You can find the one that serves your area here: Taxpayer Advocate Service.